Masters Degrees in Environmental Engineering, Ireland

This is a one year full-time or two year part-time postgraduate course designed to provide graduate engineers with specialist understanding in one of: Environmental Engineering; Structural Engineering; or Transport Engineering. In addition, the course offers students the opportunity to obtain knowledge in complimentary subject areas within Civil Engineering.

Course Organisation:

The MSc course can be undertaken as either a one year full-time or a two-year part-time postgraduate course.

The degree programme is divided into three parts: two semesters of taught courses (September - April inclusive) with an average of 12 lectures per week. A major dissertation is undertaken during the second half of the course (April - September inclusive).

It is possible to work full-time and do the course as a part-time option, providing you have the agreement of your employer.

Course Content:

Candidates must take eleven modules, namely the three mandatory modules (M1, M2 and M3) together with at least four of the modules in their chosen specialisation and four other modules, which in total amounts to 90 ECTS.

In the first semester, candidates pursuing the course full time must take modules M1 and M2 along with four other modules selected from options (including at least two from their selected specialisation), listed below. In the second semester, candidates pursuing the course full time must take module M3 along with four other modules selected from options (including at least 2 from their selected specialisation), also listed below:

Mandatory

M1. Civil Engineering Management (10 ECTS)

M2. Research Methodology (10 ECTS)

M3. (Environmental / Structural / Transport) Engineering Dissertation (30 ECTS)

Environmental Engineering

E1. Engineering Hydrology (5 ECTS)

E2. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (5 ECTS)

E3. Environmental Processes and Technology (5 ECTS)

E4. Waste and Environmental Management (5 ECTS)

E5. Water Quality and Hydrological Modelling (5 ECTS)

E6. Water Resource Planning ( ECTS)

Structural and Geotechnical Engineering

S1. Geotechnical Engineering (5 ECTS)

S2. Advanced Structural Analysis (5 ECTS)

S3. Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (5 ECTS)

S4. Bridge Engineering (5 ECTS)

S5. Advanced Concrete Technology (5 ECTS)

S6. Soil-Structure Interaction (5 ECTS)

S7. A Unified Theory of Structures (5 ECTS)

S8. Concrete Durability and Sustainability (5 ECTS)

S9. Advanced Theory of Structures (5 ECTS)

Transport Engineering

T1. Transportation Engineering ( ECTS)

T2. Transport Modelling (5 ECTS)

T3. Highway Engineering (5 ECTS)

T4. Applied Transportation Analysis (5 ECTS)

Common

C1. Renewable Energy 1 (5 ECTS)

C2. Renewable Energy 2 ( ECTS)

C3. Modelling of Civil Engineering Systems (5 ECTS)

C4. Facade Engineering (5 ECTS)

C6. Construction Innovation and Research (5 ECTS)


Some of the module options in either semester may be withdrawn from time to time and some new modules may be included, subject to demand. In addition to passing the prescribed examinations, each student must submit a dissertation on an approved topic relating to their chosen specialisation.

Part Time Option:

For candidates taking the course part-time over two years, during the first year, candidates take seven modules, namely: the mandatory modules M1 and M2 along with five of the module options (including at least two from their chosen specialisation) which amounts to 45 ECTS. During the second year, candidates must complete the compulsory M3 module together with three other module options (including at least two from their chosen specialisation) which amounts to 45 ECTS. During the second year, candidates must complete the compulsory M3 module together with three other module options (including at least two from their chosen specialisation) which amounts to another 45 ECTS. By the end of the course, part-time candidates must have completed at least four of their specialisation module options and four of the other options, amounting to a total of 90 ECTS credits. The part time option runs in parallel with the full time course. Full and part time students attend the same lectures which are typically scheduled Monday-Friday, 9-5pm. During the teaching periods, students taking the part time option are typically required to attend 9-12 hours per week during year 1 and 3-6 hours during year 2.

Assessment:

Examination of course modules and completion of a Major Dissertation.

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About the Course

Water security is a major concern facing humanity and engineers are the primary professionals tackling this issue. Annually, more than 3.4 million people die from water related diseases while 1 in 9 people world-wide do not have access to safe and clean drinking water and 1 in 3 people world-wide are affected by water scarcity. In addition, population growth, urbanisation, climate change and increasing energy demands, are placing unprecedented pressures on our finite water resources. This 1-year MSc programme aims to equip students with the skills needed to design solutions to deliver safe/clean water. The programme will also give opportunities to students to study the economics and management of large projects.

Programme Objectives

The MSc in Water resources Engineering will provide students with the technical competences to provide solutions to water security issues. Core modules will address technical aspects of water provision, water resource management and water / wastewater treatment. A primary objective of the programme is to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of modern hydrological modelling tools. The programme has a strong emphasis on the design of hydrological systems, with students working in groups to solve real-world problems. Graduates of this programme will be in a position to make significant contributions to solving water resource problems in both industry and academic roles worldwide.

Programme Structure and Content

This is a 90ECTS programme, one full year in duration, starting in September and finishing August. The programme comprises an individual research project and thesis (30 ECTS), an integrated group design project (15 ECTS) and a number of taught (core and elective) modules (55 ECTS).

The core taught modules include: Hydrology & Water Resources Engineering, Hydrological Modelling, Design of Sustainable Environmental Systems, Water Quality, Water Resources in Arid Regions, and Applied Field Hydrogeology. Sample elective modules include: Computational Methods in Engineering, Global Change, Offshore & Coastal Engineering, Environmental Economics, Project Management, and Estimates and Costing of Engineering Projects.

The Integrated Group Design Project involves the design of components of a water supply and/or treatment system and will be typical of real-world water resources engineering project. Each student will also complete an individual minor research thesis in the area of water resources engineering. This thesis accounts for one third of the overall programme mark.

What’s Special About CoEI/NUIG in this Area

• Water engineering has been taught at graduate level at NUI Galway for over 40 years. During this period students from over 50 countries have graduated from NUI Galway.
• The MSc in Water Resources Engineering is a re-launch of NUI Galway's International Postgraduate Hydrology Programme established by the late Prof Eamonn Nash. Many of the staff who lectured on the Hydrology Programme contribute to the current programme; so the recognised tradition of world-class teaching in water engineering at NUI Galway continues.
• Currently NUIG staff are involved in large-scale funded research projects in water resources, facilitated by the world-class research facilities at NUI Galway.

Testimonials

"It was a privilege and a pleasure to participate in the Galway MSc programme with world renowned hydrologists, excellent technicians and support staff, and Irish and international students. The comprehensive programme provided an excellent basis for my subsequent career in hydrology."
Charles Pearson, MSc Hydrology, NUIG, 1990 Graduating Class
Regional Manager, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand

"I am fortunate enough to have completed a world-class course in Hydrology at National University of Ireland, Galway which was taught by world-leading academics and researchers. Since my course completion in 1990, I have been able to play a key role in hydrologic application and research in Bangladesh and Australia based on the knowledge I gained from my studies in Galway."
Professor Ataur Rahman, MSc Hydrology, NUIG, 1990 Graduating Class
Water and Environmental Engineering, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, University of Western Sydney

"NUI Galway gave me priceless experiences; it was my first travel outside the Philippines. Being a graduate of NUI Galway opened doors of opportunities for me. My being who I am now started with my NUI Galway experience and I will always be grateful to the institution, to my friends and to my former professors."
Dolores San Diego-Cleofas, MSc Hydrology, NUIG, 1995 Graduating Class,
Assistant Professor at University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Phillipines

How to Apply

Applications are made online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC): https://www.pac.ie
Please use the following PAC application code for your programme:
M.Sc. Water Resources Engineering - PAC code GYE23

Scholarship Opportunities

There are a number of funding opportunities for International Students planning to attend NUI Galway. Information on these can be found at: http://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/feesfinance/internationalscholarships/

The College of Engineering and Informatics will also award the Nash Scholarship in Water Resource Engineering. This is in memory of our deceased colleague, Eamonn Nash who was our Professor of Engineering Hydrology for many years, and was a well-known in the international engineering community. The “Nash cascade” and “Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient” were named after him, and these still feature in scholarly publications. Over four hundred senior hydrologists throughout the world received their post-graduate hydrological education at this University. Please visit our website for more information on scholarships: http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering-informatics/internationalpostgraduatestudents/feesandscholarships/

The MSc in Water Resources Engineering is accredited by Irish Aid as an eligible course for their International Fellowship Training Programme (IFTP). Through the IFTP, Irish Aid provides funding for students from eligible developing countries to undertake postgraduate studies on selected courses in colleges and universities in Ireland. More information on Irish Aid Fellowships can be found on the website of the Irish Council for International Students at:
http://www.icosirl.ie/eng/irish_aid_fellowships/fellowship_training_programme

Further information is available on our website:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/engineering-informatics/internationalpostgraduatestudents/mscwaterresourcesengineering/

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The Diploma is a one-year postgraduate course designed to provide civil engineers and other suitably qualified graduates with a sound knowledge of present day practice in environmental engineering. The course has special relevance for local authority engineers but it has also been designed for those in the private sector who have a particular interest in environmental management with a particular emphasis on measures of quantitative assessment. Topics covered in the course include air quality, noise, hydrological processes, water and wastewater treatment, solid and toxic waste management, fire safety engineering and environmental monitoring and control. Environmental Impact Studies and analysis of risk, as an inherent part of infrastructural development, are also considered. This course has been approved by Engineers Ireland as meeting its requirements for continuing professional development.

Course organisation:

Lectures are normally held on Friday evening 7 - 10 p.m. and Saturday morning 9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. each week throughout the two semesters (September to April). In addition to attending lectures, participants are required to submit coursework as part of the students' assessment.

Course content:

Environmental legislation, EIA and EIS

Hydrology for environmental management

Water and wastewater engineering

Air quality and noise monitoring and management

Solid and hazardous wastes

Fire safety engineering

Renewable energy

Special topics including water borne diseases, radiation hazards

Assessment:

The award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Engineering is based on a combination of the results of two examination papers and coursework. Each paper constitutes one third of the overall assessment. The mark for the coursework also constitutes one third of the overall grade. Students must pass each paper and the coursework element independently; there is no system of compensation. The pass mark for the examination papers is 40%. A Distinction is awarded to those who obtain an overall average mark of 70% or over in both the coursework and two papers combined at the summer examination. The Diploma awarding ceremony takes place in November.

Recommended texts:

Extensive notes are provided by individual lecturers, who may also recommend texts.

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This one-year postgraduate course is designed to enable graduate engineers obtain a sound knowledge of important aspects of highway, traffic and geotechnical engineering. The course is particularly suited to engineers involved in the provision, preservation and operation of highways, but it is open to all those holding a degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering or any other relevant branch of engineering.

The topics covered include: transportation economics; highway planning and programming and route selection; survey methods and instrumentation; computer applications in local authorities; construction law; transportation modelling; theory of traffic flow; impacts of road traffic facilities; traffic: methods for planning, capacity analysis and design; traffic control and management; design of flexible and concrete pavements; pavement maintenance and rehabilitation; surface and sub-surface drainage; bridge design and management; quality assurance plans for road schemes; descriptions of soils and rocks; earthworks technology; stability of fills, slope stability; construction of embankments on soft ground; procurement of civil engineering works; road asset management plans; environmental impact assessment.

Lectures are normally held on Friday evening and Saturday morning each week throughout the two semesters (September to April).

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